Pints With Aquinas

Joe Heschmeyer, Catholic apologist known for sharp critiques of other religious movements, provides a lively analysis of Latter-day Saint claims. He tackles Joseph Smith's plural marriage, contrasts biblical polygamy with Smith's practices, explores restorationism and apostasy arguments, examines Christology and the Trinity, and addresses controversial LDS historic teachings. The conversation ends with tips for charitable dialogue.

Dr. Trent Dougherty, Catholic philosopher and epistemologist known for work on evidentialism and philosophy of religion, joins to explore what it means to know something. The conversation hits Descartes, Gettier puzzles, degrees of belief, and how experience grounds knowledge. Personal struggles, burnout, recovery, and faith weave through rigorous philosophical debate.

Sr. Mary Rachel Capets, a Dominican sister active in retreat ministry, offers guidance on discernment and religious vocation. She discusses how God often calls through relationships and scripture. Practical steps like prayer, taking the next right step, visiting communities, and healing wounds before vows are highlighted. The conversation also touches on restlessness as a prompt and handling unsupportive parents.

Dr. Martin Shaw, mythologist, storyteller, and bestselling author who leads wilderness rites-of-passage, discusses the power of fairy tales and the hunger for heroic quests. He recounts a 101-night forest vigil that changed his life. Short takes on rites, attention to small wonders, and recovering romance over emptiness.

Dr. Brant Pitre, Catholic biblical scholar and New Testament expert, tackles skeptical TikTok takes with sharp historical and textual perspective. He discusses reliability and genre of the Gospels. He examines claims about Jesus' words, divinity, resurrection accounts, manuscript evidence, and why Jesus prayed. Short, lively, and unapologetically scholarly.

Brian Holdsworth, Catholic apologist and content creator who works with the Gregory The Great Institute, sketches cultural renewal through family and formation. He talks about modesty and how clothing protects intimacy. He explores classical literature, sacred music, homeschooling and choirs as ways to form taste. He also examines attrition, building local Catholic culture, and careful media engagement.

Fr. Jason Charron, a Catholic priest and evangelist experienced in Marian pilgrimage ministry, shares pastoral tales of Muslims converting to Christ. He discusses Marian devotion as a bridge, moving pilgrims through sites like Ephesus, and powerful conversion stories from Rome to Egypt. Practical outreach, the recovery of pilgrimage, and cultivating fervent, joyful devotion are highlighted.

Dr. Thomas Madden, a medieval historian who has spent decades studying the Crusades and Byzantine-Venetian history, sets misconceptions straight. He traces crusading origins, explains why knights took the cross, and recounts the disastrous Fourth Crusade and sack of Constantinople. He also discusses Templars, Saladin, and how medieval piety shaped warfare.

Dr. Scott Hahn, Catholic theologian and convert who writes and teaches on faith and conversion. He reflects on what he would tell his younger self about prayer, spiritual direction, and balancing zeal with humility. Conversations touch on navigating family relationships, the role of the Rosary, and pastoral approaches to sharing the faith.

Joe Heschmeyer, Catholic apologist known for debating Mormon theology, joins to unpack LDS doctrinal quirks and why some theological claims clash with classical theism. He explains contested teachings like Adam‑God and rejection of creatio ex nihilo. They also tackle the toxicity of online apologetics, practical dating tips, and strategies to break phone addiction.